Galaxy Quest Deluxe Edition (Dean Parisot, 1999)

Region 1 Paramount (USA)
NTSC, 2.35:1 16x9 enhanced
101 minutes
Audio: DD 5.1 English, DD 5.1 Spanish, DD 2.0 surround Thermian
Subtitles: Optional English, French, Spanish
Extras: Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest; Never Give Up, Never Surrender; By Grabthar’s Hammer, What Amazing Effects; Alien School; Actors in Space; Sigourney Weaver Raps; deleted scenes; trailer; previews for other movies

Released: 12 May 2009

Once upon a time, DreamWorks Pictures was an independent movie outfit that made a movie called Galaxy Quest. Galaxy Quest is both a loving tribute and send-up of Star Trek, particularly The Original Series that first aired on TV during the 1960s. One day, DreamWorks realized that it could no longer function as a stand-alone entity, and its founders sold it to Paramount--the studio that was long responsible for much of the Star Trek franchise. Now that Star Trek is being re-booted on 8 May 2009 with a new movie that goes back to Kirk’s Starfleet Academy days, Paramount is re-releasing Galaxy Quest on DVD.

Galaxy Quest walks a very thin tightrope with admirable deftness. It parodies a show that was already a parody of itself in many ways. It mocks sci-fi fans even though Trekkies are so outrageous that mockery is unnecessary. Yet, it’s obvious that the filmmakers are fond of what it parodies and mocks. After poking fun at obvious targets, the movie develops into an exciting yarn in its own right. Along the way, the movie embraces the optimism that is routinely described as Star Trek’s signature motivator. This is reflected by the transformation of Alan Rickman’s character, from a self-pitying British thespian versed in Shakespeare (like many Trek actors) who bemoans the fact that his claim to fame is sci-fi nonsense to a man who realizes that he has inspired many children to hope and to dream.

In many ways, Galaxy Quest is basically a fictional version of the two Trekkies documentaries, with the added benefit of a big budget for special effects and name-brand acting. The movie can be enjoyed by people who know nothing about Star Trek, though whatever you can bring to the table will increase your laughter and enjoyment quotients. Space may be mostly a vacuum, but movies aren’t viewed in one.

Video:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image looks very good for a movie that’s now about eleven-years-old. Detail and sharpness are usually excellent. However, there is visible print damage from time to time. Colors are meant to be faded for the “vintage” footage, though colors are also faded for some of the “contemporary” sequences.

Audio:
The DD 5.1 English audio track is lively and active, filled with fun and “gee whiz!” moments. Like the script and the visuals, the sound design has clever allusions to other sci-fi spectacles. However, roughly ten years have passed since this movie was released, and the audio doesn’t seem as robust as what you get with recent movies. I guess even I’ve gotten used to being assaulted by in-your-eardrums movies like The Dark Knight.

In addition to a DD 5.1 Spanish dub, you can watch the movie with a DD 2.0 Thermian track. The idea is intriguing on paper, but the actual experience is a bit tedious and repetitious after fifteen minutes.

Extras:
This new Deluxe Edition features new extras not found on the previous DVD released back in 2000, though if you’ve waited this long for an upgrade, then you might as well hold out for the inevitable Blu-ray (rumored for late 2009).

Upon loading, the disc plays previews for several Star Trek properties

“Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest” is an introduction to the production. “Never Give Up, Never Surrender” celebrates the cast. “By Grabthar’s Hammer, What Amazing Effects” spotlights the visual effects work.

“Alien School” reveals how the cast and crew developed the Thermians’ peculiar gestures and vocal patterns. “Actors in Space” features cast members reminiscing about their roles and stereotypes of actors.

“Sigourney Weaver Raps” is a short music video that Weaver and others shot during production.

There are several deleted scenes, and you also get the movie’s theatrical trailer.

--Miscellaneous--
The DVD is housed in a cardboard slipcover with holographic art. Unfortunately, my copy had a sticker plastered on the holographic art, and the sticker left behind sticky residue. Yech.